Article 50 – thoughts from the Vice-Chancellor

As you will have seen in the news recently, the government is preparing to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the formal two-year mechanism by which we will leave the EU.

What does that mean for us, as a university? What does it mean for our staff and students, for our international partnerships, for our role as a global institution?

It goes without saying that our relationship with Europe will change in the months and years after Article 50 is triggered. Some of those changes are yet to be determined.

But equally, there is much that has not changed.

Our University remains a global institution with an international outlook, an excellent reputation and significant ambition for the future. Our international community of students and staff remain at the very heart of the University. With students from more than 150 countries, we have a global alumni community that has been built up over many decades. With campuses in three countries and extensive experience of working with international partners we are in a strong position to deal with new challenges.

We have already done a great deal of work to prepare for our new relationship with the EU, to put support in place for colleagues who may be affected by changes and ensure we secure the best possible outcome for The University of Nottingham and UK higher education more broadly.

The VC‘s blog about Article 50, the impact of Brexit and next steps for the University can be read in full here.